3 Year Blogversary Celebration - Triple Review Extravaganza!

Montag, 29. August 2016

The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet
Published: February 1st 2016 by Entangled Publishing
Number of Pages: 334 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend's death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he'll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she's hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble. 
   Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life's story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets-even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 
eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   The Secret to Letting Go was quite an interesting read with lots of secrets and emotions. I enjoyed it a lot, even though it took me forever to finish it, but that's due to my overwhelming reading slump.
   This story follows Daniel and Clover, two very interesting and three dimensional characters. The both of them have secrets and both went through bad things in their past so reading about them meeting and slowly developing into something more was awesome.
   I really enjoyed Katherine Fleet's writing style and the pace of this book. She managed to create two different voices for Daniel and Clover, which is something I love to see, and it totally helped with making me get attached to this characters and wanting to know what they are hiding and what exactly happened.
   All in all The Secret of Letting Go didn't disappoint me and had a lot to offer, even though it did struggle with keeping my interest in a few tiny places. So, if you're looking for a read with lots of secrets and heartbreak then this might be for you.
I give The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet 4 out of 5 Stars.

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Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana
Published: August 2nd 2016 by Entangled: Teen
Number of Pages: 306 Pages (Paperback)
Series: No

   Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.
   Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
   This town will suck you in and not let go.
   Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
   Find the answers.
   Unless, of course, the answers find you first. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 
eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   When I read the synopsis of Wake the Hollow I immediately knew I wanted to read it but unfortunately I didn't quite get what I was hoping to get from it. The biggest issue I had while reading Wake the Hollow was the definitely the fact that the story struggled to keep my attention so I found myself zoning out of not really caring about what was happening in various places, which really is a shame.
   I liked Mica and the other characters, wanted to see where the story would take them, and felt majorly sorry for Mica because she lost her mother, but that's where my sympathy ends. I wanted to really get invested in everyone and root for them, but I never really did. Some of the relationships between characters felt a bit underdeveloped though and something about Dane really irked me from the start.
   The mystery element of this story surrounding Mica's mother's death and the manuscript she wasn't even sure really existed was interesting enough and well written, but just not intriguing enough more often then not. Gaby Triana's writing style is good and I can see that she's a good writer, but the story unfortunately simply wasn't quite it for me.
 I give Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana 3 out of 5 stars.

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True Born by L.E. Sterling
Published: May 3rd 2016 by Entangled: Teen
Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1 in the True Born Trilogy

   Welcome to Dominion City.
   After the great Plague descended, the world population was decimated…and their genetics damaged beyond repair.
   The Lasters wait hopelessly for their genes to self-destruct. The Splicers pay for expensive treatments that might prolong their life. The plague-resistant True Borns are as mysterious as they are feared…
   And then there’s Lucy Fox and her identical twin sister, Margot. After endless tests, no one wants to reveal what they are.
   When Margot disappears, a desperate Lucy has no choice but to put her faith in the True Borns, led by the charismatic Nolan Storm and the beautiful but deadly Jared Price. As Lucy and the True Borns set out to rescue her sister, they stumble upon a vast conspiracy stretching from Dominion’s street preachers to shady Russian tycoons. But why target the Fox sisters?
   As they say in Dominion, it’s in the blood. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 
eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   The initial reason why I wanted to read this book was, honestly, the amazing, eye-catching cover. The second was the description. I must admit though that I went into this story worrying that it might disappoint me, turn out to be just another generic dystopian but luckily, it wasn't the case.
   True Born is a dystopian showing us a point of view we usually don't get, that of two girls from a wealthy and powerful family. But it also shows the reader that even that wealth and power doesn't necessarily help Lucy to uncover secrets about herself and her twin sister. I really liked her voice and narration, following her through the story, navigating this plague-ridden world.
  Besides Lucy I also really liked Jared who was a fascinating character and I absolutely loved his relation to Lucy, his personality, even though he caused a lot of aggravating moments and the fact that we didn't know, for a long time, where him and Lucy stand basically drove me crazy.
   The world building was amazing, the whole plague aspect intriguing and unique, and I really cannot wait how the story will continue. L.E. Sterling has a really good writing style that I enjoyed a lot and she managed to create characters with layers and different personalities along with an amazing world. Sterling added so many interesting and complex ideas into what could've become only yet another dystopian setting, but thanks to Splicers, True Borns and Lasters, it had a unique twist that I enjoyed and appreciate so much.
I give True Born by L.E. Sterling 5 out of 5 stars.

3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Robin Constantine (The Season of You & Me)

Samstag, 27. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the amazing Robin Constantine. Last year I read, and totally fell in love with, her novel, The Secrets of Attraction, because, let's face it, Robin is a very talented writer and that novel was brilliant. Last year I had the pleasure of having Robin on this blog for Ask the Author, which you can totally check out here, so of course I had to ask her if she'd like to be part of this, too.
   Check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   Hmmm…this is a hard question! I think I write, as well as read YA because it’s all about self discovery. That’s something that will never get old for me!

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I ♥︎ Book Bloggers!!! Before my book debuted, I knew next to nothing about the book blogging community and to be honest it was overwhelming. In theory, you KNOW people are going to read your book, you WANT an audience, but when you’ve spent most of your time quietly working in your writing bubble and suddenly there are people out there reading and discussing your work - it’s a bit unsettling at first. So it took me a while to come out of my shell, but I’m so happy I did! Mostly though, I’d like to say THANK YOU! Thank you for being such passionate and voracious readers!!! Thank you for sharing that enthusiasm on your blogs - which is A LOT of work (and much appreciated!) Thank you for helping me become a more sensitive reader and writer, and for challenging me to up my writing game. I’m also continually in awe of how welcoming and generous the blogging community has been to me - and what fierce friends bloggers seem to be!!
   I would love to give a shout out to a few bloggers who have made my foray into social media a lot more fun - Meredith from Pandora’s Books and Stacee from Adventures of a Book Junkie, in particular, really helped me in my debut year. I’ve met fab bloggers like Tabitha from Bows & Bullets Reviews and Deitre and Moriah from A Leisure Moment at book store events - it’s always fun meeting bloggers IRL!! And I love, love, love seeing blogger friendships like Heather (The Turning Pages), Lisa (Dizneeee’s World of Books) and Joli (Actin’ Up with Books) - who even travel to attend bookish events together!!! It’s awesome that a love of books can bring so many people together!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   I write from home, and it’s so easy to become a hermit! It’s also easy to work too much - so I try and have a set schedule and make sure I take breaks to get out. Even if it’s just for a walk, or a bike ride. Spending all your time in one place can lead to burn out pretty quickly!
   My latest YA Contemporary, The Season of You & Me came out on May 10th, 2016 and is close to my heart for a lot of reasons. I love the characters, Cassidy and Bryan. I love the New Jersey beach setting. And I loved writing a book that takes place over the course of a summer! While it’s being touted as a ‘beach read’ - I think/hope it’s a book that can be enjoyed any time of the year!

   The Season of You & Me Synopsis:
   CASSIDY Emmerich is reeling from a sudden, humiliating breakup. The last thing she wants to do is stick around and be reminded of her ex everywhere she goes. On impulse, she decides to spend the summer with her father and his family at their Jersey shore bed and breakfast. A different scene and a new job working as a camp counselor seem like the perfect recipe for forgetting Gavin as quickly as possible – not to mention avoiding him until he leaves for college.
   BRYAN Lakewood is sick of nevers. You’ll never walk. You’ll never surf. You’ll never slow dance with your date at prom. One miscalculated step and Bryan’s life changed forever—now he’s paralyzed and needs to use a wheelchair. This is the first summer he’s back at his former position at Camp Manatee and ready to reclaim some of his independence, in spite of those who question if he’s up for the job.
   Cass is expecting two months dealing with heartbreak.
   Bryan is expecting a summer of tough adjustments.
   Neither of them is expecting to fall in love.

   Thank you so, so much to Robin for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read any of her books? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   Thank you so much for reading!





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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Shannon Lee Alexander (Life After Juliet)

Donnerstag, 25. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the awesome Shannon Lee Alexander. I really enjoyed her novel, Life After Juliet, which was a sequel (which I totally didn't know when I requested it for review) but I loved it anyways and am now definitely planning to read the other book, too. You can, if you want, totally check out the interview I did with her or check out the review I wrote for Life After Juliet right here.
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   Young adult literature is made up of stories about young people learning, exploring, and living through some of the toughest and most tumultuous times—teen years! But these years are also full of growth, wonder, and new experiences. The stories that make up YA lit are some of my very favorites because of their honesty, earnestness, and attitude.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   Thank you! Bloggers are some of the most generous, lovely, dedicated, passionate, and amazing people. I’ve been so honored to get to meet so many bloggers in the past few years. You are making a difference in many lives, offering safe havens for the lost, opinions and advice for the confused, and so much love and laughter for everyone. Thank you!
I have too many book bloggers that I love to call them all out. I hope they all know how much I love them!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   I’m a wife and mom to two kiddos and a yellow terrier mutt named Harriet Potter. I love coffee, yoga, and reading. I’m a former English teacher and a forever Hufflepuff! I began writing novels when I was thirty. I credit my writing career to my lovely friend Em, who passed away from ovarian cancer many years ago. She taught me how to be brave and strive for my dreams.
   Love and Other Unknown Variables is my debut novel. It’s the story of a math and science geek who has his entire future meticulously planned—graduate at the top of his class from Brighton School of Mathematics, go to MIT, and win a Nobel Prize in physics—until he meets a new girl in town with a mathematical symbol tattoo and a devastating secret that changes the trajectory of his entire future.
   Life after Juliet is the companion novel to LAOUV. It’s the story or a bookworm who is struggling with loss and newfound loneliness. She agrees to help backstage for the high school production of Romeo and Juliet, but gets “discovered” by the director and cast as Juliet. She must decide whether she wants her life to stay safely folded in the pages of her favorite books or to take her turn in the spotlight.

   Thank you so, so much to Shannon for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her books? If not you totally should give them a chance!
   The next post will be up July 27th and feature the next awesome author.
   Thank you so much for reading!





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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Jamie (Books and Ladders)

Dienstag, 23. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the Jamie from Books and Ladders. I've discovered her blog quite a few months back and really liked what I saw. I might not be a daily visitor but I still come by every once in a while, or check out specific posts that catch my attention on twitter.
   Of course I had to ask her if she'd be interested in participating and, luckily, she agreed so check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA to me is a place where people, especially teens, are allowed to explore the people they want to be and use that time to grow. I think a lot of YA is marketed as "coming of age" but it is really a chance for teens to learn what makes them, _them_ in a safe space. YA as an adult allows me to realize that I am free to be who I want to be, even if it isn't exactly what others want or expect me to be.

   2) What would you like to see done more of in YA?
   I would like more diverse YA. I was lucky to be able to grow up as "see myself" on the page and I want that for everyone else. This will also give me the chance to see how the world is viewed through the eyes of others. And with LGBTQ+ books, teens will be able to see their sexuality on page and maybe understand a little bit more about their feelings and urges. I think it's really important to be able to identify with characters in fiction and to say "Character X is just like me"

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   Books and Ladders is a book blog specialising in primarily young adult science fiction, fantasy and contemporary. With daily updates, you can keep up to date on the many things Jamie reads, as well as learn what’s coming up in the YA world and discuss bookish things. Books and Ladders reviews are in-depth and considered, balancing the good and the bad. You can trust Jamie to always tell it like it is, and if she likes it, you will, too! (Dani @ Dani Reviews Things wrote this for me)

   Thank you so, so much to Jamie for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you checked out her blog? If not you totally should give it a chance!
The next post will be up July 25th and feature the next awesome author.
Thank you so much for reading!





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3 Year Blogversary Celevration feat. Francesca Zappia (Made You Up)

Sonntag, 21. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the awesome Francesca Zappia. Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her novel, Made You Up, which, if you want, you can totally check out right here. Also, I completely, from the first to the last page, loved her book since it was amazingly written and just so good in general (find my review here).
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   To me, YA means two things: the ability to have a lot of fun with your plot and characters, and a responsibility to your audience to portray the reality of things, even when writing fantasy. So YA is a very important balancing act.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I absolutely love the blogging community. What author doesn’t? (The bad ones, probably.) Book bloggers are so vital to YA publishing, it’s hard to imagine any of the very popular YA books becoming popular without them. So I’d like to say thank you to book bloggers and vloggers—thank you for all the work you do, thank you for your unwavering enthusiasm, and thank you for getting the word of mouth started on so many books that otherwise might fall under the radar—like mine!
   One of my favorite blogs (and vlogs) belongs to my friend Christina at Christina Reads YA (link here: http://christinareadsya.blogspot.com). (She also goes by Tina in her Twitter handle.) Not only does Christina give me consistently excellent book recommendations, she’s an awesomely astute beta reader and is even taking part in the Because You Love to Hate Me anthology coming out next summer!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   I have a degree in computer science and by day I work as an IT specialist (weird, right?). Probably eighty percent of my free time is spent writing or working on something related to writing. My book, Made You Up, is about a girl with paranoid schizophrenia working through her last year of high school. It features two of my favorite characters I’ve ever written, Alex and Miles. And more than anything, I hope it helps the people who are able to find themselves in the characters or the story.

   Thank you so, so much to Francesca for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   The next post will be up July 23rd and feature the next awesome blogger.
   Thank you so much for reading!





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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Charlotte Huang (Going Geek)

Freitag, 19. August 2016

   Today I have the amazing Charlotte Huang here for you guys. As you know I've loved, loved, loved For the Record last year and couldn't wait to get my hands on her next novel, Going Geek. Luckily I've actually managed to get my hands on an ARC, thanks Delacorte Press, and have slowly been making my way through it, even though I'm currently stuck in a major reading slump. Either way Charlotte is an amazing writer and I'd totally read anything she'll write in the future. You can, if you want, totally check out the interview I did with her right here along with my review for For the Record right here.
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   I love YA literature because it gives us a chance to explore and revisit (if you're an adult!) one of the most pivotal and tumultuous times in our lives. As both a writer and reader, I get so much enjoyment out of going along for the ride as teen protagonists struggle with many things for the first time. Even in genres, like fantasy, there's always an element of the main character making monumental choices that define what type of person he or she wants to be.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I think the blogging community has done so much for books and the YA community in particular. So many of you are tireless supporters of our work and I can't tell you how many times a Tweet or note with some sort of encouragement has come from a blogger at just the right time!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   My second YA novel, GOING GEEK, comes out September 13! It's set in a boarding school and is meant to be a fun story about friendships, romance, and figuring out your place in the world. But at its heart it's a book about second chances and seeing beyond what's immediately in front of you.
   I went to a school much like the one in GOING GEEK and while my life was nothing like the main character, Skylar's, the experience definitely inspired some of the emotion behind the story--mostly that feeling of trying to find your place and discover your talents. I hope it resonates with readers!

   Thank you so, so much to Charlotte for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read any of her books? If not you totally should give them a chance because they are amazing!
   The next post will be up July 21st and feature the next amazing author. 
   Thank you so much for reading!





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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Karen Fortunati (The Weight of Zero)

Mittwoch, 17. August 2016

   Today I am joined for another day of celebrations by the amazing Karen Fortunati. As you guys know I am a huge sucker for hard topic books, so when I stumbled across The Weight Of Zero I simply knew it was perfect for me. I got an ARC sent all the way over to me and I LOVED it. Of course I invited Karen for an interview, that you can check out here, and wrote a raving review for her book right here. Also, over these past months I've had the chance of working with Karen a bit on my WIP, which was an amazing experience, and I'm truly happy to call her my friend now.
   But now, enough of my blabbing and telling you how much I loved Karen's book and everything, let's get right on to her A's to my Q's:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   I love writing in this genre because it's a period of tremendous awakening. There's so much going on and such huge changes in a few short years. Ask anyone and they'll remember their high school years with both good and bad memories. Seeing my kids go through school, I'm intrigued and also worried by challenges that I never had to face - specificially social media and the intense pressure to have your career planned by age sixteen. I really enjoy exploring these challenges through writing.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I'm relatively new to the writing and blogging communities and am pretty stunned and grateful at how supportive they are. A few bloggers in particular have made my debut year really special: Jess at the Reading Nook Reviews who educated me on how blog tours work and made me the best gift ever. (See photo of pendants with The Weight of Zero cover.) Kirtida Guatam, a writer and psychologist, has been a huge suporter of The Weight of Zero and I'm so grateful to have met her. Rachel at A Perfection Called Books is just a powerhouse and will rule the world someday after taking control of Schreyer and of course, Alice Reeds. She was the very first blogger to contact me about The Weight of Zero so she has a special place in my heart!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   Me: I'm a former attorney turned writer with a passion for history and mental health advocacy. In between writing and family and dogs, I'm finishing up a degree in American Studies and hope to get a job in a museum when I grow up!
   Book: The Weight of Zero: Contemporary Young Adult, Delacorte Press
   Release Date: October 11, 2016
   Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its own living death on her again.
   But Zero’s return is delayed due to unexpected and meaningful relationships that lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. These relationships along with the care of a gifted psychiatrist alter Catherine’s perception of her diagnosis as a death sentence. This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how some of the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness.

   Thank you so, so much to Karen for stopping by, answering my questions, and for helping me make my WIP a better version of itself with her comments and critiques, I seriously appreciate it a lot. I highly recommend you guys checking out Karen's book once it'll be out because it was a brilliant, honest and entertaining read all in one with amazing characters.
   What do you guys think so far? Tell me below!





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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Mel (The Book Moo)

Montag, 15. August 2016

   Today I'm joined by a very lovely BookTuber and book blogger - Mel from The Book Moo. I've stumbled across her videos and channel quite a while back and have been a viewer ever since. Additionally I also very much enjoy reading her reviews and other posts on her blog.
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA means diverse and relatable characters who feel like best friends to me. It means a fresh perspective and different personalities with an awesome story. It means escaping into a new world and feeling at home there.

   2) What would you like to see done more of in YA?
   I'd like to see a group of females who don't need to rely on male characters for a story. Plus, can we like BAN insta-love?

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your blog/channel?
   I've been blogging for just over a year now and love it! I cannot believe how many book lovers are out there and the community is seriously amazing! My blog is: http://thebookmoo.blogspot.co.uk/
   I also ventured into BookTube and have been doing that for 2 years now. How time flies, it gave me confidence and self esteem that I didn't have before.

   Thank you so, so much to Mel for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you ever seen any of her videos or checked out her channel and/or? If not you totally should give her a chance! If you want you could even check out the review of Petty Little Lives she did a while back.
   The next post will be up July 17th and feature the next amazing author.
   Thank you so much for reading!






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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Temple West (Velvet)

Samstag, 13. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the awesome Temple West. Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her novel, Velvet, which, if you want, you can totally check out right here
  When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   I grew up reading fantasy, and could often only find books with adult protagonists who had already done most of their growing and maturing and identity-setting. Then I found authors like Tamora Pierce who mixed what I already loved (fantasy) with characters my own age, who were experiencing most major life events for the first time. Yes, YA is about young adults and is, generally speaking, written for young adults, but to me, it's more about characters who are experiencing major milestones for the first time, whether that's high school or falling in love or losing someone or discovering they have magical powers and are destined to save the universe. In a way, YA is about the first time you make mistakes, whereas "adult" literature seems to be more about characters making the same mistakes over and over again. Maybe that's why, in general, YA seems to be a bit more hopeful than other genres.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   Well, you guys rock. Your passion is incredible and your stamina is to be admired. The lengths you go to uplift the authors and stories you love is truly humbling. Modern publishing would not be what it is today without book bloggers.

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   Mmm, what's something about me that's not boring? I have tiny feet. Sometimes I shop in the children's section for shoes. More often than I'd like to admit, actually. Velvet (and it's upcoming sequel Cashmere) is about vampires and demons, but the demons aren't what you'd normally think about when you think about demons -- either are the vampires, for that matter. The book is made of paper. It's smaller than a breadbox. It looks dashing on most coffee tables.

   Thank you so, so much to Temple for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   The next post will be up July 15th and feature the next awesome booktuber/blogger.
   Thank you so much for reading!

3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns)

Donnerstag, 11. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the awesome Kendare Blake. I really enjoyed her haunted (see what I did there) novel, Anna Dressed in Blood, even though, as you know, ghosts are not really my jam but Kenare's writing still pulled me in and I actually liked it a lot. You can, if you want, totally check out the interview I did with her last year about it right here.
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA as a category to me just means that the main protagonist is a teenager. There are so many different genres and themes under the YA umbrella that protagonist age is the only common thread. But, YA also means a very cool community, a subculture of books and bookish folk that didn't exist twenty years ago. It's pretty rad.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   HELLOOOO, BLOGGING COMMUNITY! How I love to stalk you, and follow along with fun features, and interesting conversation posts. I visit a lot of blogs (a lot!) but some that I have visited regularly include My Friends are Fiction, Cuddlebuggery, Reading Teen, Dark Faerie Tales, The Page Turners, The Book Rat, Me Myshelf & I, and lots of new ones I discover every week it seems like.

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   Sure. Something about me....let's see, right now I'm having serious Penny Dreadful withdrawal. I love the Neverending Story movie but I haven't seen it in years. I don't love the Adam Sandler movie Just Go With It, yet I seem to watch it whenever it is on.
   About THREE DARK CROWNS: Triplet sisters, all queens, facing what seems to be a no-win situation. Become the Queen Crowned, but to do so, two others must die. It was a lot of fun, writing this and seeing how each sister navigated her particular set of circumstances. I love to write about girls at odds, and girls in charge. And now I have that old metal song stuck in my head. "Girls, girls, girls!" Unfortunately that's the only part of that song that I know.

   Thank you so, so much to Kendare for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   The next post will be up July 13th and feature the next awesome author.
   Thank you so much for reading!

3 Year Blogversary Celebration featuring Courtney C. Stevens

Dienstag, 9. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the amazing Courtney C. Stevens. I really enjoyed her marvelous novel, Faking Normal, because, let's face it, Courtney is a very talented writer and that novel was brilliant.
   Check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   I see young adult the same way I see board games. Monopoly is for ages 8 and up. My books are for 12 and up. Publishers are suggesting the bottom age of what is appropriate. Everyone else is fair game. From braces to dentures, jump on board if the story resonates with you.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   The blogging community has been very kind to me. Please know that your words have power. We are all doing the same thing--putting our words in the world and hoping they have transformative power. Thank you for using that transformative power on me.

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   Here is five sentence story about me:
   One of my first memories is jumping off the high dive at the local pool.
   I cried.
   I jumped anyway.
   I was three.
   Go forth and do likewise.
   If you like these five sentences, you'll probably like my books.

   Thank you so, so much to Courtney for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   The next post will be up July 11th and feature the next awesome author.
   Thank you so much for reading!

3 Year Blogversary Celebration featuring Emmmabooks!

Sonntag, 7. August 2016

   Today I'm joined by one of my favorite BookTubers out there. I've stumbled across her videos and channel quite a while back and have been a steady viewer ever since. Her videos are amazing and her love for Cassandra Clare books is impressive and entertaining. Of course I'm talking about the amazing Emmmabooks!
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she  said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA is a place where I can escape; A place where I can be a demon hunter one day and on a romantic date on top of the Eiffel Tower the next. It's a safe space where I don't need to be anyone but myself. It's a way for me to connect with different characters in different cities, countries, eras across history, even different WORLDS and still be able to relate to the situations they're put in and the emotions they feel. It's the thing that's saved my life, that has shaped me into the person I've always wanted to be, and the thing that is continually pushing my boundaries and making me a better person. And I am forever grateful to it.

   2) What would you like to see done more of in YA?
   I want more diversity in all senses of the word! We need more diverse characters; protagonists from different backgrounds rather than just side characters, different settings full of unique culture. We need more diverse representation of serious topics like abuse, sexuality, & mental illness. Authors tend to follow the same common plot arc they learn about from shallow Google searches; the same stories that are being written over and over again are not EVERYONE'S story and all readers should feel identified! It even goes to something as simple as hobbies, because not every character is just a reader, a musician or an artist - there are an infinite amount of things to be passionate about in the world and not enough of those interests get mentioned in YA! Essentially, we need more individuality amoung characters and plots. I just want a lot of the tropes to end and for every story I read to be entirely it's own. Out with recurring and in with refreshing!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your channel?
   My name is Emma, I'm a 20 year old book lover from New York who's been managing my YouTube channel, emmmabooks, for two and a half years now! I mainly talk about YA and produce creative content surrounding literature like book hauls, monthly reading wrap ups, reviews, discussion on topics in the book world, and more! When I'm not reading or filming my life away, you can find me hoop dancing (it's dancing with a hula hoop and it's the coolest thing you'll ever see; check it out), compulsively buying makeup, frequently venturing into NYC (and finding myself at LOTS of book signings) and generally, loving the life I live. :)

   Thank you so, so much to Emma for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you ever seen any of her videos or checked out her channel? If not you totally should give her a chance! If you want you could even check out the review of Petty Little Lives she did a while back.
   The next post will be up July 9th and feature the next amazing author.
   Thank you so much for reading!

3 Year Blogversary Celebration featuring Ava Jae (Beyond the Red)

Freitag, 5. August 2016

   Today I'm here with the awesome Ava Jae. I really enjoyed her marvelous novel, Beyond the Red, because, let's face it, Ava is a very talented writer. You can, if you want, totally check out the interview I did with her last year if I recall correctly right here.
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA is my heart. It's where teens take on everything from fraught politics of far away fantasy lands, to crumbling governments in a futuristic world, to difficult realities in our everyday lives. It's increasingly more nuanced with so, so many important books, it's empowering and sobering, bubbly and heart-wrenching, exciting and passionate, and it doesn't turn away from ugly realities or topics that are difficult to discuss. I so respect the many, many talented authors changing the world one book at a time—and I'm honored to be on the shelf with them.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I want to say thank you! Seriously, bloggers—especially book bloggers—are some of the coolest, most passionate people around. And some blogs I like include YA Highway, Amy Trueblood's Chasing the Crazies, Barnes & Noble's B&N Teen Blog, and Dahlia Adler's The Daily Dahlia

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   Sure! I'm a chronically ill Latina tomboy who blogs and vlogs and tweets too much. My debut Beyond the Redwhich released earlier this year, is a YA Sci-Fi about a violent uprising on a distant, alien planet that threatens the reign of a teen alien queen. It's dual POV with explosions, and kissing, and I've very much enjoyed sharing it with everyone thus far. :)

   Thank you so, so much to Ava for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   The next post will be up July 7th and feature an amazing BookTuber. Anyone feel like blindly guessing who it might be?
   Thank you so much for reading!

3 Year Blogversary Celebration featuring Mia Siegert (Jerkbait)

Mittwoch, 3. August 2016


   On to the next day of celebrations, today I have Mia Siegert here with me.
   I've read and reviewed her novel, Jerkbait, a few months ago (I was part of the blog tour for it and everything) and loved it to pieces. I'm happy to say that I now call Mia my friend and have even worked with her on my WIP and her WIP, which is a surreal feeling. I'm super happy that she's part of this celebration and I cannot wait for you guys to read her answers below, and her WIP once it'll become an actual book in the future (it's absolutely amazing, I can assure you that).
   So, on to Mia's A's to my Q's:

   1) What does YA mean to you?
   YA is the opportunity to write a coming-of-age piece about the most impressionable years of one's life. It's a very challenging genre, and I am a baby with a steep learning curve. I'm unbelievably grateful for YA book bloggers for being so kind and helpful with their resources and information. Thank you for your patience, your recommendations, your lessons, and your willingness to help me learn about writing for a target audience. Thank you.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I'm newer to blogging but I absolutely love reading the ones that are linked on Twitter (especially Jamie's (Books and Ladders) and Brittany's Book Rambles). I know a lot of bloggers feel unappreciated so I wanted to just stress as an author that you are appreciated. It's always an honor to be included on a blog, and I can't imagine the amount of work, effort, and time you put in. Seriously, it's appreciated.

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   I'm a really quirky person who openly struggles with depression, PTSD, and (more recently diagnosed) anxiety (oh, psychosomatic symptoms). I specifically write to fit a cadence for spoken word and often will break rules of grammar in order to fit a specific meter. Some people like it, some people find it jarring, but I'd like to think the rawness is universal.
   My debut JERKBAIT is a YA about hockey-playing twins, musicals, gay teen suicide attempts, and online predators. I just finished my second YA, which deals with an unusual hobby that I find fascinating (well, and a lot of anime, which of course many people love!)

   Thank you so, so much to Mia for stopping by, answering my questions, and for helping me make my WIP a better version of itself with her comments and critiques, I seriously appreciate it a lot. If you haven't checked out and read Mia's book yet, I highly recommend it because it was a brilliant, honest and entertaining read all in one with amazing characters.
   What do you guys think so far? Tell me below!